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Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:17 am

But then wheres the fun in that? To each his own i suppose. Its just fun to do it yourself, gives you an appreciation of the work and proffession of windshield installers. Besides , Its always fun and kind of adrenaline rush-ish to put it in yourself.

Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:09 pm

borninabus wrote: take it to a profes
sional.

that way when it cracks it's not your fault.

Spoken like a contractor, and a good point as well

Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:00 pm

are you re installing an old windshield or a new one I had a pilkington brand a few years ago that did not fit. the glass company after i attempted it twice came out and broke it for me said my windshield frame must have an issue? installed an old nasty stock one in matter of minutes. I use the pull cord rope like lawn mower pull cord/clothes line and silicone spray. sunbathe the seal on a nice warm day a helper is optimal. all of the comments made here are right on no one suggested the possibility that an aftermarket glass might be the culprit.

Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:54 pm

Once again thanks to all for the advice and suggestions. Otter had his widowectomy yesterdy, and all is good. To answer the previous post, yes it is the original window , but with a new seal. Thanks again all.

Thu Nov 26, 2009 7:18 pm

cracked my old windshield trying to put it back in with a new seal... wheres the best place to get a new windshield?

Fri Nov 27, 2009 7:06 am

i usually just call my local glass companies and ask em if they can get one. they usually can, however the only ones they can get are the ones with the sun tint on the upper part, the fully clear windshields are apparently hard to come by.

Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:21 pm

thanks! picked up a new one for $100! when putting the glass on the car, should you start at the bottom corner? or the middle of the frame?

Sun Dec 13, 2009 5:55 pm

Read through the thread again. I started top, ended bottom center.

Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:12 pm

foxtail1 wrote: I tried the two person thing to install the windshield....NAAAAAAAAA!

After two attempts and ruing a seal I called a glass company it only cost me 70 dollars. It took him about 10 min to install it. What is nice about having a glass company do it if they brake it they have to replace it.

Not for $70 they don't. For less than $200 they are installing a windshield that you provided. Unless you buy the glass from them, they won't cover it if it breaks. At least that's the way the glass companies around here are. Peace!

BTW, I used silicone tire shine and weedeater line, after breaking one using Windex. It went in with barely any work at all ;)

Tue Dec 15, 2009 7:46 am

windsheild install went well last night. put the rear glass in first for a little practice. went in first try. windsheild took us two tries. it just wasnt exactly center the first go.
and with three people i was surprised on how easy the job was. i'm glad i didnt pay them a hundred bucks do it.
i used silicone spray with a small cord. i also used a plastic putty knife to help with putting the gasket on the windsheild and getting the cord in the gasket.

Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:28 am

Congrats! It's a nice feeling when you've got it, isn't it? Made me feel like the victorious chimps in the first scene of 2001 Space Odessy. Except throwing the little plastic helper tool in the air wasn't nearly as cool as a bone....

Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:21 pm

HELP!
Had our first real rain since i've had my new windshield in... lots of water is dripping behind the kick panels. its coming from the bottom of the windshield seal. what did i do wrong with the install? all the rust and pinholes where fixed, then por15 and paint.
should i take it back out :( and use some silicone caulk on the channel before i reinstall it???

Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:37 am

benw82 wrote: HELP!
Had our first real rain since i've had my new windshield in... lots of water is dripping behind the kick panels. its coming from the bottom of the windshield seal. what did i do wrong with the install? all the rust and pinholes where fixed, then por15 and paint.
should i take it back out :( and use some silicone caulk on the channel before i reinstall it???

I've said it before, so here it is- you need to seal around the seal with urethane. Completely. It will not leak again. End of story.

Been there(more than once), learned my lesson. The rubber alone will not seal perfectly. I now use urethane, and no more leaks.
Yeah, yeah, i know the factory did not use any sealer, but , why then do they leak? Why take chances? Do you like rust, and a wet floor?

Use the sealer, and call it a day. :wink:

Mon Jan 25, 2010 7:24 am

thanks! i'm taking it out this weekend. i havent seen urethane at lowes or home depot but i saw this on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/3M-8609-Windo-Weld-Super-Ure...-1-catcorr

will a FLAPS carry this kind of sealant?

greenbus, do you put a bead around the outside of the windshield channel first and then drop it in? or do you put the sealant on the gasket first then place it in?

Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:05 am

benw82 wrote: thanks! i'm taking it out this weekend. i havent seen urethane at lowes or home depot but i saw this on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/3M-8609-Windo-Weld-Super-Ure...-1-catcorr

will a FLAPS carry this kind of sealant?

greenbus, do you put a bead around the outside of the windshield channel first and then drop it in? or do you put the sealant on the gasket first then place it in?

I have seen urethane at Advance Auto, and others. Its about $20 a tube(!), but works the best, after you heat it nice and hot before use. I have used silicone, on my new windshield last year, but urethane is the "official" sealant for glass( well, more of an adhesive, for bonded applications, but we'll still use it).

I install windshield as normal, and run a fat bead under the lip, against the paint, all around, so it oozes out a little bit. For extra credit, i also put some next to the glass and seal, and smooth out with gloved finger. Then you know water WILL NOT get past the rubber. Believe me, i HAVE tried without sealer, and ALWAYS got a small leak or three, I will always seal after I put glass in from now on.

Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:43 am

foxtail1 wrote: I tried the two person thing to install the windshield....NAAAAAAAAA!

After two attempts and ruing a seal I called a glass company it only cost me 70 dollars. It took him about 10 min to install it. What is nice about having a glass company do it if they brake it they have to replace it.

Roger that. The glass shop here has them instock. $165 installed. If I needed one, thats the way I would go.

Sat Jun 19, 2010 11:35 am

Ive had my windshield out for awhile to fix the usual rust etc. (73 Bus) I decide to try and reinstall it myself. Bad idea. I was successful once before on a 73 super Beatle. This time it cracked right down the middle #-o Now I've got a professional coming out with a new piece of glass, seal and labor on Monday for $200. Had to buy the seal even though I had already bought a new one. Oh well guess I've got a spare. I'm wondering if I could have just payed for labor before I broke my glass?? Oh well... "Sometimes your the windshield, sometimes your the bug!!"

Sat Jun 19, 2010 12:09 pm

1977_L63H_P27 wrote: foxtail1 wrote: I tried the two person thing to install the windshield....NAAAAAAAAA!

After two attempts and ruing a seal I called a glass company it only cost me 70 dollars. It took him about 10 min to install it. What is nice about having a glass company do it if they brake it they have to replace it.

Not for $70 they don't. For less than $200 they are installing a windshield that you provided. Unless you buy the glass from them, they won't cover it if it breaks. At least that's the way the glass companies around here are. Peace!

BTW, I used silicone tire shine and weedeater line, after breaking one using Windex. It went in with barely any work at all ;)

I wish to change my stand on this. I've used silicone before with great success, but from now on I'll use dish washing liquid. It's just as slick, and won't take an act of God to get out of the paint. If you EVER want to paint your bus after using silicone, you'll pay dearly for it. Peace!

Sat Jun 19, 2010 6:16 pm

1977_L63H_P27 wrote: 1977_L63H_P27 wrote: foxtail1 wrote: I tried the two person thing to install the windshield....NAAAAAAAAA!

After two attempts and ruing a seal I called a glass company it only cost me 70 dollars. It took him about 10 min to install it. What is nice about having a glass company do it if they brake it they have to replace it.

Not for $70 they don't. For less than $200 they are installing a windshield that you provided. Unless you buy the glass from them, they won't cover it if it breaks. At least that's the way the glass companies around here are. Peace!

BTW, I used silicone tire shine and weedeater line, after breaking one using Windex. It went in with barely any work at all ;)

I wish to change my stand on this. I've used silicone before with great success, but from now on I'll use dish washing liquid. It's just as slick, and won't take an act of God to get out of the paint. If you EVER want to paint your bus after using silicone, you'll pay dearly for it. Peace!

^^^^^^^^^^^
Word. That stuff is nasty.......

Mon Jun 21, 2010 7:54 am

Just had the Glass company install my glass. It took him about 45 minutes. He had to take it out and start over 3 times but he got it! Wish I had called them from the get go and not broken my original glass...Oh well the view from the inside of a new, freshly cleaned shield is very nice!! :D